Electric switch



A. R.- RlcE ELECTRIC SWITCH Aiug. 16, 1927'.y

Filed Jan. 28, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 16, 1927. .A

A.`R. RICE ELECTRIC swITcH Fil'ed Jan. 28.

1925 2 Sheets-$heet 2 Patented ug. 16, i927.

Urtil FATF-S FATENT OFFICE.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.V

Application tiled January The invention relates to improvements in electric switches as described in the present specii'ication and illustrated in the accompanying drawings that form a part ot the same.

One object of the invention is to provide an etlicient pull chain mechanism which may be readily mounted in the smallest size of shell ot the chandelier type of switch now used, thus eliminating the necessity of two sizes Vot sockets, which has hitherto been a requirement due to the smaller sockets, which are in much demand owing to their more attractive appearance, not being citi- `cient in operation thus heretofore ma. ing a necessity the manufacture ot a larger mechanism 'tor more universal use.

Another object is to provide a pull chain switch operable by means olf a toggle mechanism7 which insures a more positive action than any other means.

A further object ot the invention is to make possible the production ot a switch of the pull chain type at as low a cost as that ot the button socket.

A still tur-ther object is to proY ide a switch in which the upper and lower porcelain parts are similar in construction and consequently interchangeable.

find generally the objects of the invention are to provide an electric switch which will ie simple and inexpensive to construct, positive in action, neat in appearance and durable.

The invention consists eta trame suitably insulated and having permanent contact elements incorporated therewith, an operating element .including` means for removably supporting` a pull member, a movable switch element pivoted for rotation on a horizontal plane in guide slots in said trame, ay bracket pivotally supported by said operating element and adapted to be brought into operative engagement therewith during one phase ot the movement7 a compression spring connecting said movable switch elem-ent andsaid bracket and on the rotation ofA said bracket moving said switch element to its alternate position by snap action, and alatch device cooperating with said operating element and said bracket to lock same together subsequent 28, 1925. Serial No. 5,326.

to each movement orp said switch element, and including' means for reversing the direction of travel or" the switch movement.

In the drawings Figure l is a side elevation ot a switch in its ass-embled condition.

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view taken substantially on the line A-A ot Figure 4, with the circuit through the switch closed.

Figure 3 is a cross sectional viewv taken substantially on the line B-B oi Figure 4 with tl e circuit broken.A

Figure 4 is a central vertical sectional viewV through aswitch taken in the neutral position ot' the spring during operation.

Figure 5 is .a plan view oton-e ot the porcelain parts with the binding posts in position.

Figure 6 is avertical sectional view taken on the line C-C ot Figure 5.

Figure I is a plan detailr ot the horn.

Figure 8 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line D-D of Figure 7.

Figure 9v is an jend view ot Figure 7.'

Figure lO is an assembled detail of the spring and its mounting, parts of which are shown in longitudinal section.v

Figure llis a detail in 1perspective ot the latch device- Figure l2 is a detail in perspective of the bracket adapted to support the device shown in Figure 11.

Figure i3 is a plan view of the device to which the chain is secured.

Figure i4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line lil-F oiC Figure 13.

Figure l5 is an inner side view ot the movable switch element.

Figure 16 is a cross sectional view taken on the line F-F of Figure l5.

Figure 17 is an assembly view in plan ot' a modified torm of construction.

Figure 18, is a longitudinalvsectional view taken on thel line Gr-G of Figure 17.

Like numerals vot reference indicate cor* responding parts in the various figures.

Referring to the drawings land 2v are discs constructed from porcelain o'r other insulating material andbetween which the switch movement is adapted to be mounted, said discs being identical in construction and therefore interchangeable and being secured in spaced relation by mean-s of the binding posts 3 and 4, over the inner l'aces ot which are secured stop members 5 which project past the side 4edges of said posts, said members being constructed ot insulating material.

6 and 7 are the permanent contacts carried by the discs 1 and 2 respectively, the contact 6 being in the form ot av screw extending through the base member 1 and the contact 7 being in the form ot an integral foot or projection 'from the binding post 4, but it must be understood that said contact 7 may be in the i'orm ot a sejiiarate member suitably connected in the circuit ii' desirable.

A is the movable switch element, or arm, consisting ot a vertical wall, or end piece 8, having` outward extensions 9 from the top and bottom edges adapted to slide in curved guide slots 10 in the inner faces o't the discs 1 and 2 respectively, and integral parallel arms 11 extending at right angles to said end 8 and provided with openings 12 adjacent to the ends thereoiI adapted to encircle pivot members 18 with which the discs 1 and 2 are provided to permit of said switch arm rotating on a horizontal plane to and trom its operative position, said arms being provided with opposed integral extensions, or fingers, 14 adapted on the rotation ot the switch arm to engage the permanent contacts 6 and 7 and thus close the circuit through the switch.

B is an operating element comprising a substantially semi-inverted cone shaped device 15 from which extend at right angles thereto liat arms 16 and 17 which are rotatably mounted on a vertically arranged pivot 18 suitably mounted at its ends in the discs 1 and 2 respectively at a point removed from the slot 10 in which the switch element A operates and opposed thereto, the lower arm 16 being somewhat longer than the arm 17 and being enlarged to provide a circular disc like end 19, and the arm 17 being cut away at its end to provide oppositely disposed shoulders 20 projecting` forwardly at an angle of substantially 45 degrees.

he hollow cone shaped portion of the frame B is provided with a substantially key hole shaped opening 21 in the top wall thereof terminating` in a. cross end slot 22, said slots being for the purpose ot removably securing the chain C to the switch mov-ement, the enlarged portion of the slot 21 permitting of the ball, or other end enlargement, 28 ot the chain being inserted in the interior of the cone, which constitutes a seat therefor, and the cross slot 22 which loosely accommodates the link 24 permitting of the easy operation o't the chain in a lateral direction.

25 is a bracket` in side elevation being in the form of a substantially rectangular hollOw rame, said bracket being provided with upper and lower extensions 26 constituting bearings extending into openings 27 1n the arms 16 and 17 respectively ot the frame B and permitting of said bracket rotating, or swinging, on a horizontal plane from side t0 side ot the pivot 18 in alternate movements oi the member B, said bracket being cut away along its under side to provide a shoulder 28 adjacent to the bearing 26 and also being provided with a forwardly and downwardly extending foot 29, said bracket being provided also at its top forward end with an enlargement, or shoulder, 30 adapted, on the rotation of said bracket to abut one, or other, ot the shoulders 2O of the arm 17 according to the direction in which said bracket is rotated, to prevent further rotation thereof.

3l is a latch member comprising a circular disc rotatably supported above the arm 16 t the trame B in slightly spacer relation thereto by means oi'i the foot, or extension, 2) ci he bracket 25 extending through an open g 82 located to one side oi the centre i cot, said disc being provided with a er projecting outwardly from a point adjacent to the opening 82 and adapted on the operation ot the switch movement to be brought into engagement with one, or other, of the stop members 5, according to the direction in which said movementiis rotated` tor the purpose of limiting the rotation ot said movement and for reversing the direction ot travel of said disc, as will be described more 'fully hereinafter.

nEhe latch member 81 is provided with an enlarged central opening 34 through wl'iich extends the pin 18 on which the operating clement B is mounted, said opening being shaped to provide a central curved wall 85 providing` inwardly projecting` shoulders 86 extending into the path ot the shoulder 28 in the rotation of the bracket 25 to cause coincident rotation of said disc and said iframe B, when said trame is rotated by pulling on the chain C, said shoulders 86 receding outwardly to provide opposed circular recesses 87 adapted on alternate movements of the switch to be brou'ht into regis- Wl ter with said pin 18 which acts as a stop to prevent further rotation oit said disc, said opening 84 being extended rearwardly to a point adjacent to the edge of Lhe disc to provide sutlicient room 'for the free rotation of the disc around said pin 18.

88 is a helical compression spring connecting the vertical wall 8 ot the switch element A. and the forward end 89 ot the bracket and being adapted on the rotation o't said bracket to move said switch arm with a snap action to, or away from, the permanent contacts, according to the direction in which said bracket is rotated through the movement ot the element B, said spring being mounted on a cylinder having a fork by mea-ns ot a sheet 45 ot' suitable insulating materia f Ll@ is a threaded lamp screw shell seciu'et in any suitable manner to the outer tace ot' the disc 1.

el? is the horn which constructed ot 'tv-Jo sections7 each ot which is providedv With oppositely disposed extensions i8? the extension 'from one side ot one ot said sections and the extension from the opposite side of the other ot' said sections being provided vwith oltset portions 9 adapted to overlap the respective adjacent extensions to secure the sections together, said extensions, or lugs, being adapted to be inserted in slots 50 in the discs 1 and 2 respeci'gively9 tie inner Walls 51 oil said slots being tapered to permit of the easy removal jot the chain from its seat in the element B.

52 is the enclosing shell which is provided 'ith a suitable lining 53 of insulating msterial, both shell and lining being` cutaway to permit of the projection et 'he horn si?, a

cap 54 hai/'ing suitable means for securing same to the sliell being also provided.

In the close conditi-ontot the switch the various elements ot the movement are in the positions shown in Figure 2, the movable and l permanent contacts being in engagement and the spring 3S extended and holding the linger 33 ot the disc 31 in engagement with' the stop farthest removed trom said movable Contact. the bracket and the operating element B being securely locked together tor coincident movement by means ot said disc which hasl taken up a position with the shoulder 36 on the sideneai'estrto said movable Contact engaged by the shoulder 28 of said bracket and the pivot 18 in the corresponding side recess 37.

ln the operation ot tte 'invent-ion.y 'when itdesired to move the switch element A to alternate position from that shoivn in r 'ure 2 it is simply7 necessary to rotate the eg'ierating element B by pulling on the chain C and as the bracket 25 and the operating element are locked together by means oft the disc 31 said bracket Will be rot-ated aga-inst l e' 38, compressing the inner end of a straight line drawn between saine and also bringingl same across the point oit connection between said spring and the switch element A and the pivotal the obstruction 5, after which the disc is prevented troni further forward rotation, but as the pressure ot the spring on the bracket 25 continues the result is that said bracket is forced backwardly against its connections 29 and .with the disc 31 and operating element B respectively which has the eiect o rotating the outer'end 15 ol" said element B in a direction towards the spring 3S in its new position and also reversing the direction ot rotation ofthe dise 31 and causing saine to s ving across' the portion 19 or" said operating' element and take up its position with the shoulder abutting the l said bracket and the recess 3 pin 1S, in Which position the bracket 25 and the operating element B are locked tor the.

the

apes

nent operation. ln the rotation ot bracket 25 the shoulder 30 thereof s the co 'responding side shoulder 2O ot the arm 17 et the operating'element just prior to the engagement of' the finger 33 with the obstruction 5 so as to absorb ak portion of shock subsequent'rotary movementlot the operatelement to its alternate position.

lt will have been noticed that the recesses 37 in the disc 31 are muchi greater in circumference than the pivot 18 and this dierence is tor the purpose ot allowing play between the elements to provide flexibility in operation.

l/Vhen it is desired to remove the chain it is simplyv necessary to remove the outer shell of the device and also the horn et? and to rotate the operating element B until the opening Q1 in the outer end thereof is di.-

reotlv beneath the slot 50 in the disc 2 in' 7 which position the ball 23 can be withdrawn from said opening'.

ln Figures 17 and 18 a modilied form et construction is shown in Which two latch discs are employed mounted on extensions from the upper and 'lower edges of the bracket 25, said discs respectively being pro vided with circular slots 56 terminating at their ends in enlarged portions 57 for the reception ot the pin 18` in the alternate positions of said discs. said pin 18 extending through substantially key hole sl aped slots 58 in the arms of the operating element B.

The method ot supporting' the spring in a telescopic mountingH including the method of countersinking the head oft the plunger d2, and the general construction ot the various parts permits ot the use oi al toggle mechanism in smaller size ot shell than heretofore has been possible.

The manner in which the chain is'secnreoV to the switch movement is ay most important feature, permitting, as it does ot removing the chain Without interfering in any vfay with the switch movement- What I claim is l. In an electric switch, a switch element Si() i movable on a horizontal plane from one to its alternate position, an operating element reciprocable on a horizontal plane from one to its alternate position and comprising a body portion and spaced superposed arms rotatably mounted on a vertical bearing liiedly n'iounted in said switch, a bracket pivoted in said arms adjacent to said bearing and extending therebeyond, a compression spring connecting said switch element and the outer end ot said bracket, a latch plate pivotally supported by an extension trom the outer end ot said bracket and provided with means to oneratively connect said bracket and said operating element whereby on the rotation oit said operating element said spring is compressed, insulated stop members carried by said switch in opposed relation to each other, a nger carried by said latch plate and engaging alternate stops in the movement ot the s iitch, means whereby on the engagement ot said tinger with the adjacent stop the pressure oi said spring moves said latch plate and said operating element to their alternate positions in operative engagement with one another, and a pull member carried by said operating element.

2. 1n an electric switch, a pivoted tor rotation to and zontal plane, means to move said element from one Vto its alternate position snap action, said means including a horizontally rotatable operatingl element, a bracket pivotally supported by said operating element, a spring connection extending trom said switch element to said bracket, latch means interposed between said operating element and said bracket and including a linger adapted to engage said stops alternately to limit the rotary movement ot said switch element, and means tor temporarily freeing said bracket and said operating element 'from locking engagement tor a period during each operation ot the switch movement.

3. ln an electric switch, a switch element pivoted 'tor rotation to and tro on a horizontal plane, means to move said element to its alternate position by snap action, means including a horizontally rotatable operatingelement, a bracket pivotally supported by said operating element, a spring connection extending from said switch element to said bracket, latch means including` a disc pivoted to said bracket beyond said operating clement and operating around the bearings ot said bracket and said operating element and being provided with interior opposed shoulders having corresponding recesses, said disc being movable in the operation ot the switch movement to alternately bring said shoulders and their corresponding recesses into register with the l earings of said bracket and said operating Vlement respectively to operatively connect said switch element tro on a horibracket and said operating element, said disc being provided with a stop inger, and stop members positioned in the path of said iinger and reversing the direction ot travel ot' said disc to move same to its alternate position subsequent to the conclusion ot the movement of said switch element.

t. In an electric switch, a switch element pivoted tor horizontal rotation to and fro, means to move said element to its alternate position by snap action, said means including an operating element pivoted tor rotation on a horizontal plane, a bracket having a lined pivot rotatable in said operating element, said bracket in operation moving to alternate sides or" the bearing for said operating element upon successive operations ot' the switch, a compression spring connecting said switch element and said bracket, a latch plate pivotally support-ed by said bracket and provided with means to operatively connect said bracket and said operating clement w iereby on the rotation oil said operating element said spring is compressed, stop elements carried by said switch on opposite sides or said operating element, said latch plate including a linger engaging said stops alternately to limit the rotary movement ot' said brackets, and means whereby onthc engagement of said linger with the adJacent stop the pressure ot said spring moves said plate and said operating element to their alternate positions in operative engagement with one another.

5. ln an electric switch, a movable switch element, an operating element rotatable around a lixed bearing, a. bracket pivotally mount-ed in said operating element and in each operation or the switch swi jing across. said bearing a spring connecting said switch element and the tree end ot said bracket, and means interposed between said operating element and said bracket whereby in the initial part oit the movement of the switch said bracket is rotated, through the operation of said operating elementy against the pressure ot said spring to compress saine and move same across a straight line between the point of connection with said switch clement and the pivot point ot said bracket, and whereby in the latter part ot the movement ot the switch said bracket and said operating element are temporarily treed Yi`rom locking engagement through the pressure ot said spring on said bracket, said means including a stop linger engaging the switch Jframe to limit the movement ot said bracket, said means also includingl means tor relooking said bracket and said operating element subsequent. to each movement of said switch element.

6. ln an electric switch. a. movable switch element, a rotatable operating element, a bracket pivotally supported by said operating element and swinging clear thereof, a

spring connecting said switch element and the tree end ot said bracket, means for locking said bracket to said operating element to provide for coincident rotation to compress said spring' and move same across a straight line drawn between the point at which said spring' is connected to sait switch element and the pivot point ot said bracket, said means including a centrally slotted disc rotatably mounted on an eXtension trom the tree end ot said bracket a Tl rotating' around the bearings ot said bracket and said operating' element, the inner wall ot' said disc being shaped to provide shoulders positioned on opposite sides ot the bearing;` for said bracket and correspondinf` recesses, said shoulders and the corresponding recesses respectively being' adapted tor engagement bv said 1racket and said bearing' on which said opere-.ting` element is mounted respectively in alternate positions ot the switch movement, means tor freeing said bracket and said operatingv element trom locking` engagementduringv cach oper( tion of the switch to permit ot said bracket and said operating element moving to their alternate positions, and means for relooking sam-e for subsequent operation.

7. In an electric switch` a housing including a pair of disc like elements secured in spaced parallel relation to each other and recessed interiorly to receive the switch movement, permanent switch contacts, a horizontally rotatable switch element adapted to be brought to its alternate position by snap action, said switch element comprising a vertical bodv portion and horizontally disposed integral arms rotatably mounted in bearings from the inner faces respectively7 of said discs and carrying yieldable contact pieces integral therewith, means to move said element to and from its operative position by snap action, said means including a. horizontally rotatable operating` element, a bracket pivotally supported by said operating element and swinging alternately to opposite sides of the pivot point ot said operating element, a spring` con-A necting said vertical wall of said switch element and the outer end of said bracket, latch means interposed between said operating` ele-l ment and said bracket, and means for reversing the direction of rotation ot said latch means upon the completion ot each movement ot said switch element.

8. ln an electric switch, a housing including a pair of disc like elements secured in spaced parallel relation to each other and recessed interiorly to receive the switch movement, permanent switch contacts, a horizontallyfrotatable switch element adapted to be brought to its alternate position by snap action, said switch element comprising a vertical body portion and horizont-ally disposed integral arms rotatably mounted in bearings from the inner faces respectively of said discs and carrying yieldable contact pieces integral therewith, means to move said element to and from its operative position by snap action, said means including` a horizontally rotatable operating element, a bracket pivotally supported by said operating` element and swinging,` ternately to opposite sides ot the pivot point ot said operating element, a saring connecting' said vertical wall ot' said switch and the outer end oi' said bracket, a latch member interposed between said operatingl element and said bracket, stop members positioned in the path ot' said latch member'tor arresting the J Vforward movement ot said latch member subsequent to the conclusion of movement ot said switch element, whereby the pressure ot said spring is concentrated on the inner portion of said bracket to move said latch member and said operating` element to their alternate operating, positions, and a pull member removably secured to said operating member.

9. in an electric switch, a housing comprising spaced parallel discs interiorly recessed to receive the switch movement, binding posts connecting said discs, permanent switch contacts, a horizontally rotatable switch element including a vertical wall having projectionsoperating in guide slots in said discs, means to move said switch element to its alternate position by snap action, said means including a horizontally rotatable operating element, a bracket supported by said operating,` element and projecting therebeyond, the pivot point of said bracket being adjacent to the bearing of said operating element, said bracket in operation swinging alternately to opposite sides of said bearing, a telescopic spring mounting connecting the vertical wall of said switch element and the tree end of said bracket, and insulated from said wall, a spring encircling said mounting and exerting pressure on said bracket, latch means interposed between said operatin` element and said bracket and providing coincident move-v ment thereof to move said bracket to its alternate position, and means for reversing said latch means.

10. In an electric switch, a housing, permanent contacts, a horizontally rotatable switch element movable trom one to its alternate position by snap action, an operating element including horizontally disposed spaced parallel members rotatably mounted on fixed bearing connecting said discs and an integral member in substantially semiinverted cone shape connectingw the outer ends of said members, said intermediate member beine; provided on its top side with a substantially key hole shaped opening terminating in a cross endvslot to removably support a pull member, the outer end of the upper horizontal member of Said operating,` element being` Cut away t-o provide opposed Shoulders, a bracket pivotally Supported by said operating; elementand projecting therebeyond, the pivot point oit Said bracket being; adjacent to said iXed bearing, Said bracket in operation swinging alternately to opposite Sides of Said lined bearing and termina sf in engagement with the eorreshoulder of said operating elespending` ment, a spring connecting Said switch element and the 'tree end o' Said bracket, latch means carried by the 'tree end ot said bracket and interposed between Said bracket and said operating element, and a pull member.

ll. ln an electric switch, a housing` com- V,rising members constructed et insulating material rigidly conne ted in spaced parallel arrangement, permanent contacts Supp rted from the opposed Iacee respectively ot said housing, a switch element comprieine,` a vertical body portion and enperposed rsp-nerd parallel arms pivoted on bearings from the opposed faces of Said housing, said arms ,ir-,- ing provided with yieldable extensions constituting contact members, said switch element being rotatable on a veitical plane to` Wards and a vay trom Said permanent contacts, an operatingelement rotatable on a horizontal plane from one to its alternate position, a bracket pivoted in said operating element and having yielda'lo connection with the body ot Said switch element, a latch member carried by said bracket and adapted to operatirely connect Said bracket and said operatingr element, Said latch member being` Shittable in relation te said operating member, through the operation ot said yieldable connection to lock Said bracket to Said operating elementon each movement ol' the Switch element, means rer reversing Jhe direetion ot rotttion ot said latch member, a pull member removably Secured to Said operl ne' element, a horn supporting said pull member, Said horn comprising two sections adapted 'to be Secured together in overlapping arrangement, an enoloiingl shell, and insulating elements.

Signed at the city ot Toronto, Ont., this sixteenth day et January, 1925.

ARTHUR RYAN BIEF. 

